National Summit Agenda

As innovation-driven businesses become increasingly important to regional economic growth, development finance professionals need a stronger understanding of how seed and venture capital can complement traditional financing tools.

Designed for development finance practitioners, economic developers, and other stakeholders seeking to support business and entrepreneurial growth, this workshop presented in partnership with the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance equips participants with the knowledge to navigate the growing role of equity financing in supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, and long-term economic competitiveness. Attendees will learn how venture capital differs from traditional financing approaches, explore successful state-supported and mission-oriented investment models, and examine how public, private, nonprofit, and university partners collaborate to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Participants will leave with practical insights and frameworks to evaluate whether venture-oriented strategies can advance their community's economic development goals.

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• Nat Henshaw, President, CEI Ventures, Inc.
• Ernesto Villarini, Managing Director, Community Development Venture Capital Alliance

This advanced workshop presented in partnership with Decide DeKalb explores how local governments can execute equitable redevelopment using public financing tools, including TIF, EPA Brownfields RLF, and General Obligation Housing Investment Bonds, when available funding is limited.

Focusing on real, executed deals rather than theory, the session examines how complex projects were structured through multiple, smaller awards, phased funding, and layered financing to close feasibility gaps. Case examples from DeKalb County illustrate how these programs were adapted to support mixed-income housing, small business stabilization, and catalytic infrastructure across varying market conditions. Participants will learn how to sequence soft and hard cost awards, align investments with district-specific rents and incomes, and integrate complementary public finance tools. The workshop also addresses the legal, administrative, and political considerations of deploying public funds creatively but responsibly.

Designed for experienced practitioners, the session provides replicable frameworks that participants can apply immediately in constrained redevelopment environments.

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• Evan Conder, Partner, Venture South Investments, LLC
• John Corcoran, President, Housing Development Corporation
• Alan Ferguson Sr., Housing & Community Development Leader, DeKalb County Government
• Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute
• Diana Pitcher-Williams, Manager, Redevelopment & Strategic Initiatives, Decide DeKalb
• Tiffany Wills, Chief Real Estate Investments Officer, Decide DeKalb
• Isaac Yilma, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Bad numbers don't just kill deals—they can haunt projects for decades. This advanced workshop presented in partnership with MuniCap, Inc. focuses on building credible forecasts that support a sound plan of finance, from early assumptions through final documentation.

Participants will cover best practices for developing defensible revenue and cost projections, common mistakes that erode credibility, and techniques for stress-testing your figures. The session concludes with a deep dive into the revenue report: its purpose, required contents, and role in protecting both issuers and investors.

Designed for development finance professionals, municipal finance practitioners, financial advisors, consultants, developers, and other professionals who prepare, review, or rely on revenue forecasts and reports to support public infrastructure and development financing.

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• David Saikia, Executive Vice President, MuniCap, Inc.

This advanced workshop presented in partnership with Grow America provides participants with the tools and frameworks needed to critically evaluate developer proposals.

Attendees will learn how to assess financial soundness, determine project feasibility, and ensure alignment with program goals and community priorities. Through real-world examples and guided discussion, the session will highlight key indicators of strong proposals, common risks to watch for, and strategies for making informed, equitable funding decisions. This session strengthens confidence in reviewing submissions and supports more effective and impactful development outcomes.

Designed for development finance professionals, public agency staff, economic development practitioners, program administrators, and lending or funding decision-makers who evaluate developer proposals and make financing or investment decisions for community and economic development projects.

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• Corey Leon, Director, Grow America

Join your fellow SSBCI Coalition members for a special in-person workshop focused on the evolving SSBCI landscape. Together, we'll explore practical strategies for deploying capital, navigating compliance, strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, and preparing for what's next. Connect with peers from across the country, exchange ideas, and gain real-world insights to help move your program forward.

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Presented by U.S. Bank, this invitation-only reception warmly welcomes the 2025 CDFA Mentorship Program participants to Puerto Rico! Hosted in a relaxed and celebratory setting, this exclusive event brings together mentors and mentees to connect in person, strengthen relationships, and continue building on the foundation they've developed throughout the program. Offering a meaningful moment for shared reflection, peer exchange, and community building within the development finance network, we encourage program participants to join us as we celebrate the spirit of mentorship, leadership, and collaboration, set against the inspiring backdrop of Puerto Rico’s ongoing story of resilience and innovation.

Whether you're attending your first National Development Finance Summit or are a new member of the CDFA community, this informal gathering is the perfect way to begin your Summit experience! Connect with fellow first-time attendees, CDFA staff, Certified Development Finance Professionals, and longtime members while discovering what makes the National Summit such a valuable experience. Share ideas, ask questions, build your network, and gain insider tips to help you navigate the week with confidence. You'll leave with new connections and a head start on the relationships that bring the CDFA community to life through collaboration, camaraderie, and our committment to strengthening communities nationwide!

Kick off the 2026 CDFA National Development Finance Summit in the heart of Savannah's Historic District with an evening of celebration, conversation, and connection! Join colleagues and industry leaders from across the country as you reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new ones, and exchange ideas that will shape the conversations throughout the week. Set against the backdrop of one of America's most historic cities, the Kick-Off Reception is the perfect way to celebrate the start of a week filled with new ideas, meaningful connections, and the innovation transforming communities across the country. So come and raise a glass to partnerships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building strong, resilient communities!

Communities across the country are grappling with issues of affordability as the cost of essential services - housing, healthcare, childcare, groceries, and energy - has outpaced wage growth. Join us to discuss how the affordability crisis is impacting communities throughout the U.S. and how economic development organizations are using unique financial products to meet this challenge. Practitioners will discuss how TIFs and other tools can be leveraged to support housing affordability in Texas, NYC, and other communities. Practitioners from NYC and Philadelphia will share how their organizations have enhanced affordability in the healthcare, childcare, food supply, and energy industries through innovative financing and services.

• Jennifer Crowther, Senior Vice President, Capitalization & Impact, PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)
• Brinda Ganguly, Executive Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
• Sue Hounsel, Senior Manager, City of Dallas
• Emily Metzler, Managing Director, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.

Complex projects rarely fail because of a lack of capital. They fail because capital isn't structured to work together. This session explores how CDFIs, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations are creating and deploying innovative funds to fill financing gaps, absorb risk, and unlock investment.

Using real-world examples, participants will examine how specialized funds, credit enhancements, and catalytic capital can be layered with traditional financing to execute challenging projects. The discussion will also address the legal and structuring considerations that determine whether a capital stack is merely assembled, or truly designed for success.

• Sebastian Smelko, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
• Kip Wahlers, Partner, Ice Miller LLP

Small developers are often overlooked in economic development, yet they play a vital role in creating community-driven projects that reflect local priorities. Unlike large catalytic developments, these projects typically rely on simpler capital stacks but face significant challenges accessing financing, technical assistance, and development finance tools.

This session highlights the 2026 Franzini Fellows Capstone Project, which examines how development finance can better support small developers and projects under $10 million. Through emerging research, case studies, and practitioner insights, attendees will explore the barriers these developers face, identify strategies to expand access to capital and technical assistance, and learn how development finance tools can strengthen local economies while advancing equitable, community-driven development in both rural and urban communities.

Generate the greatest possible impact from the loans you make by treating them as just the tip of the iceberg. Assemble your team and gather your partners to projects that lead to impactful loans then continue the teamwork post loan closing to generate greater impact.

Many practitioners work in markets where deal flow is slower than we would like. Create your own pipeline of deals that have high mission impact by integrating your lending with business development, advising, training, and competitive improvements. Downtown revitalization, brownfields redevelopment, target industries, housing, entrepreneurship and more. Come share ideas, learn from colleagues and get inspired!

• Brett Doney, President & Chief Executive Officer, Great Falls Development Authority

Bond issuance may mark the end of the initial financing, but it begins years of continuing responsibilities. A district’s long-term success depends on sustained attention to continuing disclosure, arbitrage compliance, ongoing administration, and other recurring obligations. This session will present the dos and don’ts drawn from real-world bond financings, highlighting common mistakes, emerging compliance risks, and post-issuance best practices. Attendees will gain practical insights into managing stakeholder expectations, avoiding costly missteps, and maintaining compliance long after bonds are issued. Whether new to bond finance or a seasoned issuer, attendees will leave with actionable lessons for achieving successful and sustainable financings.

• Kelly Effland, Project Manager, MuniCap, Inc.
• Patrick Kennedy, Vice President & Associate Head of District Administration, MuniCap, Inc.

The rapid expansion of the data center sector is driving extraordinary demand for capital-intensive utility infrastructure, including electric service, water supply, wastewater capacity, and fiber connectivity. This advanced workshop examines the development finance structures used to fund and deliver these backbone systems, with particular emphasis on the practical deployment of public and private capital.

Panelists will explore the development finance tools used to support large-scale data center infrastructure, including public-private partnerships, municipal bonds, utility cost-sharing arrangements, special districts, and private infrastructure investment. The discussion will examine the practical challenges of coordinating public and private capital, with a focus on asset ownership, repayment sources, credit support, regulatory considerations, public-purpose requirements, and risk allocation among utilities, local governments, and private developers. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the legal, financial, and governance considerations that shape these transactions and the key questions to address when selecting a financing structure.

• Charity Karanja, Attorney, Butler Snow LLP

Layering Opportunity Zone financing with other development finance tools strengthens capital stacks and unlocks more investable, impactful projects. This session will explore strategies to leverage complementary tools such as tax credits, public-private partnerships, infrastructure financing, federal grants, tax increment financing, and emerging place-based initiatives such as Maritime Prosperity Zones. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how these tools work together, key considerations when structuring capital stacks, and strategies for aligning multiple financing sources.

• Emil Liszniansky, Principal, Envision Group LLC
• Jennifer Syx, Director of Economic Development, Envision Group LLC

Discover Savannah at your own pace! While Summit programming has concluded, your learning doesn't have to. Experience the places, people, and history that continue to shape this remarkable community through this optional, self-guided exploration. Wander Savannah's historic squares, riverfront, local shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks on your own schedule and at your own expense.